Last week it was Topshop, this week it's Debenhams – please, make it stop. Not to sound dramatic in the middle of a pandemic, but news of job losses and yet more closures on the British high street is hardly lifting our spirits right now.
Debenhams has been trading since 1813, so naturally speaks to multiple generations – from your grandmother who bought her first lipstick at the beauty counter, to shopping trips with your own mother to find your year 11 ball dress (which meant heading straight to Star By Julien Macdonald for the most trendy options).
The recent news of the flagship store closing - as well as five other stores - has caused a social media meltdown, with people sharing nostalgic stories and grieving the loss of another high street giant.
Keep scrolling to read some of team Grazia's fondest Debenhams memories, as well as the best memes currently doing the rounds on social media...
Our Favourite Memories And Memes Of Debenhams
1 of 10Prom Dresses
'I have very strong memories of everyone heading to Debut at Debenhams any time there was a sixth form ball or uni ball and getting some strapless dress I'd spend the evening yanking up constantly…Or Coast if you were flash with the cash…'
2 of 10Faith Shoes
'Pretty sure I got a pair when I was like 14 and it felt like my first pair of 'designer' shoes.'
3 of 10Meme
4 of 10Coming Of Age
'For me, it was a proper coming of age shop where I bought my first perfume, probably my first bits of make-up and bras. It was both boring (because your mum dragged you there when she needed things like gloves) and exciting, as it epitomised going shopping with friends for the first time.'
5 of 10Meme
6 of 10The Caff
'The Debenhams caf was ICONIC, had fried bread there for the first time.'
7 of 10Meme
8 of 10Christmas Time
'Christmas shopping just won't be the same without Debenhams. It was the one stop shop for the ones you didn't know what to buy for, from tools to tuck shop sweets and slippers. Many Christmas drama's were solved at the hands of their stores.'
9 of 10Beauty Counter
'I grew up in Chester, which although is a city and allegedly good for shopping, only had one department store – Debenhams (or Browns of Chester, as it was known). As an 11-year-old newly allowed to go into town by myself, I would go into Debenhams to be seduced by the impossibly glamorous make-up counters, staffed by women wearing more make-up than I'd ever thought possible could be held up by one face.'
10 of 10